The Crusades were a series of holy wars launched by European Christians between the 11th and 13th centuries with the goal of regaining control of holy sites in Jerusalem from Muslim rule. Jerusalem was an important religious site for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. In 1071, Seljuk Turks stopped allowing Christian pilgrims to visit Jerusalem, prompting Pope Gregory VII to plan a crusade. Although Gregory died before launching it, subsequent popes called for additional crusades over the next two centuries, with varying degrees of success in retaking Jerusalem but ultimately failing to maintain permanent Christian control of the region.

1. Crusades
Few Important aspects
Jakia Sultana

2. What were the crusades?
• The Crusades were a pilgrimage and a series of holy wars for
Christians. The goal of these wars was to gain control of
Christian holy places within and nearby the city of Jerusalem.
People referred to this region as the “Holy Land.”

3. The Holy Land
• Three major religious groups all claimed Jerusalem in the land of Palestine
as their holy city- Christians, Muslims and the Jews.
• For Jews- city were king David ruled and where the great Temple had
stood.
• For Christian- city where Jesus had lived, preached and been crucified.
• For Muslim- where their leader, Mohammed, ascended into heaven.

4. Crusades- The background
• Full of people from all three religions who lived there in peace. Visitors
came by the thousands from all over the western world to visit the holy
places in Jerusalem.
• Suddenly, in 1071 AD, a group of Muslims called Seljuk Turks, stopped
allowing Christian visitors to come into Jerusalem at all.

5. The crusades
• Events leading to crusades #1
oPope Gregory vii planned to reunite Roman and Byzantine
Churches organized a holy war from Spain to Asia. He would
send the Byzantines an army of western knights, which he would
lead himself.

6. The Crusades
• Gregory died before he could pull it off.
• It was a short victory. Less than 50 years later, Muslims railed
together and once again conquered Jerusalem.

7. The second crusades
• The pope called the second crusade to take back the city.
• It was a complete failure and the crusaders were sent home in
defeat.

8. The third crusade
• It is the most important crusades of all.
• It was organized by Europe’s strongest monarchs and led by King
Richard (the lionhearted) of England.
• The third crusade lasted from 1189-1192.

9. The third crusade
• The crusades were defeated by a powerful Muslim ruler named
Saladin.
• Despite the defeat, King Richard the Lionhearted negotiated with
Saladin to allow Christian pilgrims free access to Jerusalem.

10. More crusades
• The fourth crusade sent to knights back to the Holy Land, however they
never made it to Jerusalem.
• Instead attacked the city of Constantinople because they were in
desperate need of supplies and funds.

11. More crusades
• The Children’s Crusade in 1212 was a terrible tragedy. Many thousands
of French and German children died trying to reach Jerusalem.
• They believed God would protect them because they were children.

12. More crusades
• Two ships of children were lost at sea. Many died of hunger. Others froze
to death. When the ships landed in North Africa, some children were
slaughtered and others were sold to slavery.
• Those who survived dismally returned home.

13. The Effects of Crusades
• The crusades exposed Europeans to new cultures.
• After the crusades, there was an increased interest in acquiring new goods
from Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
• There was a new European demand for things such as silks, spices, ivory
and pearls. This created a demand for trade with the Middle East.

14. The Effects of Crusades
• Increased trade= Increased income for Italian merchants
• The death of many nobles weakened the feudal system
• Sophisticated Muslim culture, arts and philosophy were introduced to the
Europeans - to the Muslims, the Europeans were the barbarians.

15. Famous Crusaders
• Robin of Loxley (Robin Hood) returns from fighting the 3rd Crusade.
While King Richard is also away, his brother John, is a corrupt leader.
Robin defies john and becomes an outlaw until King Richard returns.

16. Thank you…!!